Appliance network with a smart control, host multi-function and external appliance with food containers and methods

ABSTRACT

An appliance or compact multi-function appliance for use with a perishable food, product or container that are configured to track, monitor and report food freshness and cooking status and to order, purchase, process payments and provide home delivery for a product.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an appliance or compact multi-functionappliance for use with a perishable food, product or container(“product”) that are configured to track, monitor and report foodfreshness and cooking status; preserve, disinfect, prepare and cook aproduct; and to order, purchase, process payments and provide homedelivery for a product.

The present invention also relates to a method and system formanufacturing, packaging, displaying, selling, marketing, ordering,purchasing and processing payments for a product with containertechnologies for use with an appliance such as a smartphone, smartspeaker, and smart refrigerator, as described herein.

Also disclosed is a method and system for the use of multiple brandlogos or names and communicative indicia on a container or productpackaging wherein at least one of the brand logos or names (such as asecondary or tertiary brand logo or name) can be used to representunique, different or distinct products, services or benefits from theprimary brand logo or name. Secondary or tertiary brand logos or namescan communicate to consumers either an enhanced, unexpected or unseenuse or benefit for a product, a container technology that can include abenefit for ordering, purchasing, processing a payment, providing aproduct delivery or for providing recipes and multiple cooking times foran appliance network or for a subscription service for said products andservices.

The complete disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,563,833 is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current food, container and appliance food storage, cooking, marketing,ordering, purchasing, payment processing and delivery technologies andservices are fragmented, inefficient and wasteful. Essentially, if atechnology is difficult, time consuming or incompatible, everyparticipant in the food, consumer good, appliance and product orderingchain (manufacturers, retailers, and consumers) will not benefit. Thereis a need for a more integrated and efficient food, container, applianceand product inventory management, ordering and payment processingecosystem.

It is important that manufacturers and retailers display productpackaging to provide the simplest and most effective communicationindicia and text possible. Product containers are becoming increasinglymore sophisticated incorporating container technologies to allowconsumers to use said product containers as conventional storagecontainers or, if consumers are effectively informed, to use containertechnologies with appliances and services. Providing effectivecommunicative indicia and text regarding benefits, uses and advantagesregarding container technologies is challenging due to technologicaladvances and to the limited space provided on a container or a readabletechnology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the present invention include providing an appliance ormulti-function appliance for use with products, containers andtechnologies to provide more efficient methods to track, monitor andreport product freshness; facilitate cooking; and to order, purchase,process payments and provide delivery of products.

As used herein, a container can be any receptacle such as a sealable orresealable receptacle or closure for use with a container to hold aproduct which can be constructed to hold storage environments such asgas, vacuum, pressure or vented environments with said containers notbeing destroyed by said applications. Containers are designed for usewith an appliance or multi-function appliance and include combinedfunctions or modes as described herein; which can operate individually,in combination or in sequence with each or with other modes orappliances or in connection and communication with appliances andservices (“container”).

A container with a container technology can utilize wirelesstechnologies and combinations thereof. Radio frequency identification(“RFID”) is a wireless communication technology that can use acontactless integrated circuit card (“ic”) or tag. Near fieldcommunication (“NFC”) is a similar concept to RFID and can use acontactless is card or tag. However, NFC can differ from RFID becausesome RFID devices enable communication at a distance of several meterswhereas NFC devices have antennas which can be brought within severalcentimeters from each other to communicate. For example, NFC can be usedas a wireless technology to allow devices to wirelessly communicate withone another over close ranges. Typical distances can be severalcentimeters and communicating can also include waving or physicalcontact such as tapping. Current NFC communication can includecontactless transactions and data exchange, among others. NFC is a shortrange wireless connectivity technology that can also allow the exchangeof various types of information, such as text, numbers, pictures,cooking instructions, product and financial information or digitalauthorizations between two NFC enabled devices that can includeinterfaces such as smartphones, watches, wearables, appliances andcontainers and a compatible smart card or reader in close proximity.Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is a bidirectional high speed and fully networkedwireless communication technology similar to Wi-Fi which can also beincorporated into an appliance or and interface by incorporating Li-Fienabling chips, software and hardware and with each applianceconstructed with an indicator or Li-Fi light connected to or incommunication with the interior of and exterior of an appliance to allowthe sharing of data. Li-Fi is wireless and uses visible lightcommunication or infra-red and near ultraviolet (instead of radiofrequency waves) spectrum, part of optical wireless communicationstechnology which can be used to complement other data communicationnetworks.

A feature of NFC communication (as with related RFID) in one exampleincludes passive communication capabilities. Passive communication cancomprise of an active “interrogator” device (“reader”) that transmits asignal that is inductively harvested to power the passive interrogateddevice. The transmitted signal can also include a constant wave portion.The tag can respond to the interrogator by reflecting back a modulatedversion of the constant wave portion of the transmitted signal. Passivecommunication enables communication with otherwise unpowered tags forapplications such as inventory management.

The technologies disclosed herein for use with a product, a containerand technology and with interfaces or appliances, can include wirelessor wired appliances for use with a wired or wireless appliance ordevice. In one embodiment, a wireless appliance can include: a powersupply; an RFID/NFC or wireless interface configured to harvest energyradiated from an external interrogator appliance or device and toreceive configuration data without receiving power from the powersupply; a memory structure configured to store the receivedconfiguration data; a processor; and a non-transitory computer readablemedium. In one application, the non-transitory computer readable mediumincludes one or more instructions configured to, when executed by theprocessor, cause the wireless device to retrieve the receivedconfiguration data from the memory structure, and configure the wirelessappliance based on the received configuration data.

In another embodiment, a wireless appliance can include: a power supply;an RFID/NFC or wireless interface configured to utilize energy radiatedfrom an external interrogator appliance, and to transmit one or morebackup data without receiving power from the power supply; a memorystructure configured to store the one or more backup data; a processor;and a non-transitory computer readable medium. In one application, thenon-transitory computer readable medium can include one or moreinstructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause theappliance to update the one or more backup data stored within the memorystructure.

In another embodiment, backup data can comprise one or more of: userdata;

marketing material; product information, product ordering, purchasingand payment processing data, technology and information; container andappliance applications; recipes and cooking instructions; chemical, gasor volatile organic compound signatures or profiles and threshold levelsand any other information described herein including user contact data(user address, bank, credit/debit card or third party paymentinformation), appliance specific data and can include network orappliance biometric access or authorizations using facial, eye/iris,fingerprint, palm or voice recognition connected to or in communicationwith an appliance and operating systems for product ordering, purchasingand payment processing or delivery and data and network configurationdata, authorization and access. In certain situations, the one or morebackup data can be encrypted. In another embodiment, the memorystructure can comprise a removable or non-removable secure or non-secureelement. Wireless and similar enabled appliances herein can function aseither an initiator or target depending upon the user desiredfunctionality and application.

Smartphones, smart speakers, beacons, appliances, containers, tabletterminals and other user interfaces can be equipped with RFID/NFC andwireless modules. RFID/NFC can operate using both passive and activecommunication. In passive communication, a reader/writer communicateswith a contactless ic card or tag without a power source. In activecommunication, two devices both incorporating power sources communicatewith each other by alternately acting as an initiator and a target.

An RFID/NFC enabled appliance can use a reader/writer function to readcontactless ic cards. With NFC, an NFC antenna of one of the appliancesis required to be brought within the communicable distance of an NFCantenna of the other appliance. However, with NFC it is possible toaccess a contactless ic card or tag having no power source to read orwrite data and it is only necessary to bring the appliance in closeproximity to start or finish communication or exchange. This applicationallows for the use of containers, smartphones, smart speakers, beacons,products and appliances to perform transactions and exchanges with, forexample, containers, smartphones, consumer and electronic devices,interfaces and appliances. RFID/NFC, as well as hybrid tags, andwireless technologies can allow a single appliance or container tooperate in more than one mode. For example, a smartphone can be capableof functioning (a) in a card emulation mode to facilitate productordering and payment in a credit or debit card transaction; and (b) inreader mode, to facilitate reading a container or other smart/sensortags or other appliances. It is also possible for the technologiesdescribed herein to be capable of peer to peer information exchange.

As used herein, a container technology can include any technology thatcommunicates, interacts, tracks, monitors, reports, benefits, orders,purchases, processes a payment or service or delivery or enhances theuse, access, understanding, storage or appearance of a product such as auser interface, consumer or electronic device, good or appliance whichcan be placed, attached, affixed to or connect to or communicate with aproduct, a container or an appliance such as, but not limited to,wireless technologies that can include Li-Fi, RFID, NFC and hybrid tagsand an is card (active, passive, hybrid or battery assisted passivetags), a machine-readable code such as a universal product code or ORcode that can comprise an array of black and white squares and can storedata such as URLs or other information to be read by a camera on anappliance or other interface, bar codes that can be read by RF or barcode devices, thin film labels and applications with sensors and sensorsin communication with wireless technologies such as Li-Fi interfaces andRFID, NFC or hybrid tags (“smart tags”), semiconductors, circuits, chipresistors, thin film chip resistors/transistors, memory and networks,electronic temperature and other-sensing labels including real-timesensing capabilities, electronic sensor circuits, plasticsemiconductors, chemical sensors such as potentiometric sensors,chemical field-effect transistor sensors, chemiresistors andchemoreceptors. Technologies can further include containers or lids withsensors to monitor temperature, vacuum, humidity, time, containerdensity, acidity levels and gases, chemicals and volatile organiccompounds, such as but not limited to, aldehyde, acetic acids, ethylene,sulphur compounds, alcohol CO2, NH3, H2, H2S, O2, N2 and SO2. Sensorscan connect to or communicate via wireless or wired methods to transferdata between two or more appliances in communication with networkinterfaces and networks comprising Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, internet,satellite and cloud computing technologies and can involve deployedgroups of remote servers and software networks to allow centralized datastorage and online access to computer services or resources, providereporting and status messages regarding any process or operation notedherein to an appliance or client device and any other similartechnologies described herein and complementary combinations of anytechnology or others disclosed herein. Technologies can also includeartificial intelligence and augmented or virtual reality applications,software or hardware interfaces for use with appliances. All of thetechnologies and networks disclosed herein “technology” or“technologies” can be combined or function in any complementary order,combination or function with any other technology, network or processdisclosed herein.

Product packaging, information and marketing materials as used hereincan include any communicative indicia such as icons, abbreviated text,symbols, shapes, colors, forms, or text, that can be digitally,physically, in combination, or by any other means, communicate orconnect to, incorporate, read, be written, attach or associate with aproduct, container or appliance or other product, container or applianceand include URLs, wired or wireless capabilities, cloud, satellite, webor internet data, containers, technologies, consumer goods, electronics,devices, user interfaces or appliances, including user personal data,email and web site addresses, telephone numbers or any other digital,social media or personal address or banking or financial information asdescribed herein. Product information can include technical andspecification data, financial, legal and operating information, data anddocuments such as warranty, technical and operating manuals andtechnologies, products and services. Product marketing materials caninclude smart/sensor tags with written data and materials, readers,URLs, price, product, place, promotions, marketing collateral, coupons,promotional materials, recipes, menus, movies, music, sales, visual andauditory materials, discounts, brochures and other printed or digitalproduct information, visual aids used in sales presentations, webcontent, product data sheets and white papers and any other materialsdisclosed herein (all of the aforementioned “product packaging” or“packaging” or “marketing”).

Appliances as used herein can include consumer or electronic devices,user interfaces, electronic goods or retail, household and professionalappliances including any user interface such as mobile, smartphones,smart speakers, beacons, tablets, lap tops, computers, glasses, watches,wired or wireless wearables, devices and clothing, devices, rings,jewelry and wristbands, printers, cameras, micro-processors andmicrophones that can include use with an appliance, consumer good, userinterface or local or remote computing, cloud, server, network,appliance or device operating system and any other similar electronicdevice or appliance operating systems including functions and modes thatinclude product ordering, purchasing, payment processing or delivery.Appliances can further include retail display or merchandising cabinetsand refrigerated units, microwave oven, oven, induction cook top, UVlight systems and irradiation (any of these technologies can beincorporated as a single mode or combination mode in an appliance orinterface and can be controlled by an interface or appliance controller,another or external appliance or interface, a product, container orsmartphone, smart speaker, beacon, mobile or remote application tofunction with the other or external appliance functions and modesdisclosed herein), stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washer/dryer, vacuumsystems, toaster, rice maker, steamer, pasta cooker, crock pot, modularcooking units, portable or handheld devices which can be smart tagreader enabled, RFID light readers, and can combine, connect andcommunicate with other technologies or appliances in any complementaryor compatible combination and in any combinations of the aforementionedappliances as described herein (“appliance” or “host appliance” or“smart control”).

As used herein, a smart/sensor tag is an RFID, NFC or hybrid tag with asensor portion (“smart/sensor”). A smart/sensor can be configured todetect or measure the presence, level or quantity of a stimulus in acontainer or ambient area and when detected a sensor portion contacts orinteracts with the stimulus thereby changing the smart/sensorresistivity or signal output. The stimulus includes a vapor, a gas, aliquid or a solid. Specific examples of the stimulus include an analyte,a mold, an ethylene, an alkene, an alkyne, an acid, a ketone, an ester,an aldehyde, an alcohol, an ether, a thiol, an ammonia, mono-nitrogenoxide or an amine. The stimulus can be from the food product in thecontainer or a contaminate in the container. Stimuli as used herein isthe plural form of stimulus. This signal output change and a product orpurchaser identifier can be detected by a reader and sent to a local,remote appliance or network computing device, server or inventorymanagement system to analyze and interpret the signal change. Asmart/sensor can connect to, communicate with or affix to a product,container, an appliance or smart/sensor. A smart/sensor can comprise oneor multiple sensors to detect different or unique gases or stimuli. Asmart/sensor can be configured to detect levels of freshness or spoilageof a product, an ambient gas, element or condition or detect thepresence of harmful ambient gases, contaminants, explosives, etc. andprovide appliance or client device notifications when a gas level fails,maintains, reaches or exceeds a predetermined profile, signature orcomparative database level or combination of levels. A smart/sensor is atechnology as disclosed herein.

There exists a need for a method and system to manufacture, prepare,package, display, market and sell a product, a container with atechnology for use with an appliance and a method and system to provideconsumers with product packaging that includes technologies,communicative indicia, text and smart/sensors to effectively andimmediately communicate specific primary, secondary or tertiary benefitssuch as benefits regarding technologies, usages, interaction andcommunication, advantages, product availability and complementary usagewith appliances and consumer goods to a consumer using minimal surfacearea on said container or product packaging and a method and system toprovide consumer product packaging information regarding appliances andconsumer goods to effectively and immediately communicate specificprimary, secondary or tertiary advantages or benefits of an appliance orcontainer a technology. Also disclosed herein are embodiments for anappliance and for containers with a technology and methods for themanufacture of said containers.

For example, a combined primary, secondary or tertiary brand logo orname descriptor can include the use of any of the followingcommunicative indicia or text to form a benefits descriptor andassociation and in any combination hereof or as disclosed herein:

-   -   [primary brand logo or name, icon, generic]    -   [combined description of association or inter-relation, icon]        -   [secondary brand logo or name]            -   or        -   [tertiary brand logo or name]            or;    -   [primary brand logo or name, icon]    -   [combined description of association or inter-relation]    -   [secondary brand logo or name]    -   [combined description of association or inter-relation]    -   [tertiary brand logo or name, icon, generic]        or;    -   [primary brand logo or name]    -   [secondary brand logo or name, generic]        -   or    -   [tertiary brand logo or name, icon]    -   [combined description of association or inter-relation]

For example, product packaging can include a primary brand logo or namewhich includes a product in a container with a technology and asecondary or tertiary brand logo or name or icon for any of thefollowing: an appliance, a smartphone, smart speaker, beacon,smart/sensor, user interface, a retail grocery store, food distribution,delivery or service company such as an internet, cloud or productprovider or any others disclosed herein. The logo and brand name for anappliance or technology immediately informs a consumer that there areadditional non-obvious or unseen benefits associated with a product,container and technology and a logo for a food distribution channel suchas a retail grocery store or a cloud service, immediately informs aconsumer of same or other similar type product availability and thatthis information can be located, read, downloaded or accessed in whole,part or additionally provided via a smart/sensor and accessed with areader enabled appliance. This is applicable to all the disclosure andexamples provided herein:

-   -   [primary brand logo or name]    -   [secondary brand logo or name, icon]        -   or    -   [tertiary brand logo or name, generic, icon]

A container, product packaging and marketing materials can include aspecification, technical, benefits or advantages descriptor line orsection which states, lists or describes a container technology usedwith said product or container followed by a benefits or advantagessection which states, lists or describes the benefits offered by theproduct or container and how said product or container can be used postpurchase with an appliance. Additionally, icons or other communicativeindicia and text can be used to represent the container technologies,benefits and advantages. This method allows a consumer to view aproduct, container or technology and product packaging and beimmediately informed of the product's or container's benefits, such as,functionalities, technologies and advantages and informs a consumerwhich appliances can utilize said product or technologies. Also, byusing a standard section or informational format on a product,container, product packaging, marketing material and smart/sensor aconsumer can quickly and easily find this information on any product,brand, container, product packaging or smart/sensor to efficiently andquickly obtain product and container technology information orinformation regarding which brands, products or appliances are capableof using said technologies while being informed regarding said productavailability. Examples of container informational benefits sections caninclude any combination of the technologies disclosed herein, in anycombination or order and are not limited hereto:

container technology: smart/sensor, [product name], iconbenefits: track, monitor, order, purchase and payment processadvantages: use with smart refrigerator, smartphone, smart speakercontainer specification: smart/sensorbenefits: track and monitor product freshness, auto reorder,cookinguse with: smart refrigerator, [product logo], icon, smart ovencontainer technology: smart/sensor, icon

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a product inside a container with atechnology and brand logos and names. A sealable container (222) isprovided with a cover (221) disposed thereon. The cover can include aone-way valve (220) to allow air to be evacuated from inside saidcontainer when a vacuum is applied to it to create a vacuum environmenttherein. An adhesive, film or plastic material (227) can cover theone-way valve to protect the valve and container contents and can beremoved to allow a vacuum environment to be created inside saidcontainer. A smart/sensor, or a combination of tags, can communicate orconnect with each other, as well as for any of the other embodimentsdescribed herein, and can be located individually or together inside oroutside said container or appliance interior, to monitor, track andreport a level of product freshness, gas levels or contaminants,identify a product or container or the location of a product, acontainer or an appliance in a retail or home setting. A primary brandlogo or name (223) can represent a product. A secondary brand logo orname (224) can represent a technology such as a smart/sensor or a cloudservice that provides a subscription service to detect product freshnesslevels or to order or replace a spoiled product. A brand logo or namedescriptor (225) can describe or represent brand logos or names. Atertiary brand logo or name (226) can represent an appliance that canfunction with said product, container or technology.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 15, 17-19 , a smart/sensor can bedisposed inside a closed container with a product. A sensor portion canbe configured to include single or multiple sensors to detect gases fromthe product when sealed inside a container. A sensor can also beconfigured with a sensor to detect a gas or other stimuli that is notproduced or emitted by the product. This type of configuration can allowa smart/sensor in a sealed container to detect gas levels produced by aproduct inside a container so that a handheld device or an appliancereader can detect a change in the resistivity level or signal output ofa tag and, as noted herein, said change can be analyzed and interpretedto notify an appliance or user that a product is fresh or spoiled.Additionally, in response to a change a product order can be placed intoa virtual shopping basket or an order can be placed or a request toreplace the product if spoiled. Further, one of the sensors can beconfigured to read a gas or other stimuli not associated with a productor spoilage process. For example, a smart/sensor in a sealed containercan detect oxygen, or parts of oxygen: for example, in a retail settingindicating that a container has been opened, tampered with or is brokenand provide a notice to a user or an appliance or automatically order areplacement product. In another example, a user opens a sealed containerand a smart/sensor inside the container detects a gas or stimuli not inthe sealed container or associated with the product or the spoilageprocess, but detects an ambient gas or other stimuli, which can beanalyzed and interpreted as an open container and for an order to beplaced. The change analysis and interpretation can be configured for aretail or home environment. Any detection or order can provide a user orappliance with a notice, an option to purchase or replace or to place aproduct into an online or virtual shopping basket and provide a user orappliance confirmation for each process. Additionally, a productdelivery can be requested with each action with a confirmed time or dateor provide available delivery times/dates for a user to select whichincludes a delivery confirmation. An order can be made immediately,provide for a delay period such as 24 hours and only allow one purchaseper product per a determined time period unless a user indicatesotherwise in a profile.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific details are set forth for particular networks,communication systems, computers, terminals, appliances, devices,components, techniques, storage devices, data and network protocols,software products and systems, operating systems, developmentinterfaces, hardware, etc. in order to provide a thorough understandingof the present invention which can apply, function and operate to andwith any of the appliances, products, technologies and user interfacesdisclosed herein to allow appliances, smartphones, augmented or virtualreality applications and software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), imageand event recognition, voice activation and recognition software orhardware and interfaces to connect, communicate and interact with auser, user interface and software and hardware programs and interfacesfor connected or wireless communication via cloud, internet, satelliteand other types of systems and services to operate, interact andcommunicate with any of the appliances, technologies, interfaces andnetworks disclosed herein.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specificdetails. Detailed descriptions of well-known networks, computers,digital devices, storage devices, components, appliances, technologies,techniques, data and network protocols, software products and systems,development interfaces, operating systems, and hardware are omitted soas not to obscure the description of the present invention.

The operations described herein can be implemented as executable codestored on a computer or machine readable non-transitory tangible storagemedium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, ROM, EEPROM, nonvolatile RAM,CD-ROM, etc.) that are completed based on execution of the code by aprocessor circuit implemented using one or more integrated circuits; theoperations described herein also can be implemented as executable logicthat is encoded in one or more non-transitory tangible media forexecution (e.g., programmable logic arrays or devices, fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable array logic, application specificintegrated circuits, etc.).

FIGS. 6 and 9 describe a product management system 100. The system 100comprises a plurality of user interface devices 120 and a main server150 interconnected via a communication network 140. Various networks 140may be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the invention,including a wired or wireless local area network (LAN) and a wide areanetwork (WAN), wireless personal area network (PAN) and other types ofnetworks. When used in a LAN networking environment, computers may beconnected to the LAN through a network interface or adapter. When usedin a WAN networking environment, computers typically include a modem orother communication mechanism. Modems can be internal or external, andcan be connected to the system bus via the user-input interface, orother appropriate mechanism. Computers can be connected over theinternet, an intranet, extranet, ethernet, or any other system thatprovides communications, such as by the network 140. Some suitablecommunications protocols may include TCP/IP, UDP, OSI, Ethernet, WAP,IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDa or any other desired protocol.Furthermore, components of the system may communicate through acombination of wired or wireless paths.

The system 100 can be accessed via any user interface device orappliance 120 that is capable of connecting to the main server 150. Auser interface device or appliance 120 comprises a display, andpreferably a touch screen display, reader, a video/camera and amicrophone for inputting voice/sound. An exemplary user interface deviceor appliance 120 contains a web browser or similar program, allowing insome embodiments for a secure SSL connection, and able to display HTMLand CSS. This includes user interface devices or appliances 120 such astablets, iPads, Mac OS computers, Windows computers, e-readers, andmobile user devices such as an iPhone, Android, Samsung and WindowsPhone. Preferably, the user interface device or appliance 120 is asmart: appliance, phone, speaker or tablet. The user interface devicesor appliance 120 can connect to the server 150 via the internet and/orwirelessly, such as through a mobile telephone, cloud or satellitenetwork 140, and/or any other suitable medium. User interface devices orappliances 120 are able to communicate to the main server 150 so thatcontent can be started on one user interface device or appliance 120 andlater continued on a separate user interface device or appliance 120.The user interface device or appliance 120 preferably includes an I/Ointerface that allows a user to interact with the system 100. The I/Ointerface may include any hardware, software, or combination of hardwareand software. For example, a smart watch or any other appliance orinterface, can be configured to control the operating system of anappliance or cooking network, such as an oven or microwave as describedherein.

The CPU of the user interface device or appliance 120 can be implementedas a conventional microprocessor, application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate array(PGA), or the like. The CPU executes the instructions that are stored inorder to process data. The set of instructions may include variousinstructions that perform a particular task or tasks, such as thoseshown in the appended flowchart. Such a set of instructions forperforming a particular task may be characterized as a program, softwareprogram, software, engine, module, component, mechanism, algorithm ortool. The memory may include random access memory (RAM), ready-onlymemory (ROM), programmable memory, flash memory, and the like. Thememory, include application programs, OS, application data etc. Theexemplary computing device 120 can also include a network moduleconnected to an antenna to communicate with rest of the system 100.

The main server 150 described herein can include one or more computersystems directly connected to one another and/or connected over thenetwork 140. Each computer system includes a processor, non-volatilememory, user input and user output mechanisms, a network interface, andexecutable program code (software) comprising computer executableinstructions stored in non-transitory tangible memory that executes tocontrol the operation of the main server 150. Similarly, the processorsfunctional components formed of one or more modules of program codeexecuting on one or more computers. Various commercially availablecomputer systems and operating system software can be used to implementthe hardware and software. The components of each server can beco-located or distributed. In addition, all or portions of the samesoftware and/or hardware can be used to implement two or more of thefunctional servers (or processors) shown. The main server 150 can runany desired operating system, such as Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris or anyother server based operating systems. Other embodiments can includedifferent functional components. In addition, the present invention isnot limited to a particular environment or main server 150configuration. Preferably, the main server 150 is a cloud based computersystem.

The main server 150 includes a web server and the query processing unit.The web server receives the user requests and sends it to the queryprocessing unit. The query processing unit processes the request andresponds back to the user interface device 120 via the web server. Thequery processing unit fetches data from the database server ifadditional information is needed for processing the request. Thedatabase is stored in the non-volatile memory. The term “database”includes a single database and a plurality of separate databases. Themain server 150 can comprise the non-volatile memory or the main server150 can be in communication with the non-volatile memory storing thedatabase. The database can be stored at different locations.

A computing environment can include a server computer or any otherdevice, appliance or system to provide computing functionality which caninclude a plurality of computing appliances or devices configured in oneor a plurality of server or computer banks. In one embodiment, acomputing environment can include a plurality of computing appliances ordevices including a hosted or grid computing resource or otherdistributed computing arrangement. Relevant appliance, product, food,recipe and cooking times, expiration date data,order-purchase-processing data and gas, volatile organic compound andchemical profiles and product freshness and threshold levels and imagesfor the aforementioned respective products can be stored in a datalocation accessible to the computing environment and can comprise aplurality of data stores. Stored data can be associated with theoperation of the various processes, applications and/or appliancefunctions described herein. Stored data can include appliance profilessuch as an oven, microwave, multi-function appliance, appliance cookingnetwork, smart control or smart refrigerator.

Software program modules and data stored in the non-volatile memory ofthe main server 150 can be arranged in logical collections of relatedinformation on a plurality of computer systems having associatednon-volatile memories. The software and data can be stored using anydata structures known in the art including files, arrays, linked lists,relational database tables and the like.

The server 150 and user interface devices or appliances 120 areprogramed to perform the methods and processes described herein. Forexample, a smartphone, appliance or device such as an Apple, Nokia orSamsung can include a smart/sensor reader and use an application toaccess marketing information and information from said smart/sensors andto manage said content either alphabetically, by store location orproduct type and a user can add personal notes and other information tosaid retrieved materials such as comparative pricing information andmaterial, store name and location of said product, time, future salesdates, discounts, product specifications, recipes and ingredients and toread, for example, thin film tags in communication with smart/sensors toview recorded gas or temperature and other sensor information, marketand transport time and product processing, storage and transportationhistory of a product or container, product ordering, purchasing, paymentprocessing and delivery information, etc. Said information can beaccessed directly from a smart/sensor or via a product, appliance ordevice application that can access said information wirelessly viasatellite, Li-Fi, cloud or internet communication or connectivity or asdescribed herein and can include tracking, monitoring and reportingproduct freshness, in containers or appliance compartments and canenable product ordering, purchasing, payment processing, productdelivery and any others described herein. A network or appliance canconnect or communicate directly or indirectly with a local, remote ornetwork computing device, server or product inventory/purchasingmanagement system or other means to a third party product/serviceprovider such as online or physical retail/wholesale grocery store,product delivery service or online payment service, credit/debit cardprovider/service or product/service payment, financial or bank providerto allow and facilitate product ordering, purchasing, payment processingor product delivery. For example, any of the appliances, local, remoteappliance or network computing devices, servers or product/inventorymanagement systems can contain a purchaser identifier (name, address,biometrics as disclosed herein, financial/banking information, contactinformation and payment methods as disclosed herein) which can be apurchaser, user, individual, business, corporation, etc., which canadded to an order to identify and complete a replacement or purchaseorder, payment processing or business or home delivery request or order.

Food can comprise data corresponding to a type or class of food or apackaged food or item that can be stored, preserved or cooked inside anappliance, such as an oven, microwave, smart refrigerator, etc. Eachfood or item can include an identifier such as a smart/sensor tag,bar/QR code, etc., a product image model and a gas signature orfreshness threshold level (fresh, ok, consume, almost spoiled, spoiled)with recipes, cooking times and food data based on the food profiles tocool, defrost, cook or warm a single or a plurality of products with anappliance cooking network to synch a set meal time for each appliance.

A smart/sensor, bar/QR code, etc., identifier can provide informationidentifying a product, a product container, which can include thetype(s) of food and cooking times, preparation and treatment such asdefrosting, refrigeration, cooking and warming instructions with cookingtimes, for the one or more products that can be used with one or morewire or wireless connected appliances in a cooking network that caninclude serving size; quantity, amount or weight of a product orcontainer in each appliance, and a unique appliance identification oridentifier and location of the product or container with a product suchas use with a single or plurality of appliances such as an oven,microwave, multi-function appliance or smart refrigerator.

As provided herein, a smart/sensor and a camera can each include networkinterfaces. For example, the smart/sensor and camera can connect andcommunicate with each other and be in data communication with thecomputing environment through a network interface. This allows asmart/sensor and a camera to directly communicate with various datastores and applications across the network, cloud, satellite and others.A camera with a network interface can send a food or container image toa cooking or product identification application and a smart/sensor cansend a gas reading to a gas signature identification application toidentify/detect a product freshness level threshold.

Another embodiment includes an appliance with a smart tag reader and acamera connected to or in communication with satellite, cloud computingor internet network applications to read container smart/sensors andproducts into an appliance inventory system and record container opendate status and product expiration dates which can also be networkconnected to food distribution and service provider networks asdescribed herein. A consumer using an appliance or secure code access,website or network in communication with an appliance operating andinventory management system can be configured to access, view, reviewand monitor appliance cooking and status processes or inventoriedproducts and to place product orders via a connected food distributionand service provider network. Containers with technologies can beconfigured to operate and control product ordering, purchasing, paymentprocessing, delivery and appliance temperature, humidity, venting andother operating settings.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 20 , an appliance inventorymanagement system can comprise a digital list of products withsmart/sensors created by a user with an appliance program or app(“app”). The user creates a digital list of basic, shopping or retail orhouse room products (“list”) and the quantity or number of products tobe maintained in an appliance, pantry or retail or house area, such asthe living, bed or bathroom (“modules” or “room”). This data list can beentered and stored into an appliance or network by a user, a smart tagreader, a camera, voice, via a network connection or lists can bepreloaded in an appliance or via another appliance or a combination asdisclosed herein, with said products identified as basic, shopping orroom products. The appliance program or app (“app”) can be configured tofunction in several modes. An app mode can read all smart/sensors withinreading range in an area or room and display all the smart/sensorproducts on a handheld device or appliance display. The app can beconfigured to display only the smart/sensor products that are notidentified or that are absent within a reading range when compared to astored data list in a handheld device or appliance. The app can operatein a room mode; for example, a user can select a bathroom mode and theapp can be configured to read and display only products that are in abathroom such as products intended to be in a bathroom based on a storedor provided marketing list or products that are missing or absent from abathroom when compared to a stored list or products that do not belongin a bathroom or can suggest products based on the room and from thestored lists and data bases for the smart/sensor reader, smart/sensorsor camera image database. For example, an app mode allows a user toread, list and display products that should ‘not be present’ in a room.For example, a user can select this mode for a living room and the appscans/reads the area to only identify smart/sensor products that do notbelong in the room such as identifying a smart/sensor tube of toothpastethereby informing a user that this product should be located in anotherroom such as bathroom. In this manner a user can quickly walk throughthe home or a retail environment and quickly identify products that arepresent or available, identify products that are absent or missing,identify products that do not belong in a room or area and identifyproducts that need to be ordered and to also receive product suggestionsfor each room or area with each reading or room mode. For example, anapp room mode can be configured into other apps or apps can beconfigured to operate individually or in any sequence with thecapability to store search results or send them to other appliances ornetworks. For example, when an appliance, pantry or room smart/sensorreader or a camera (smart/sensors and readers can be connected to or incommunication with a camera and database) cannot identify or read abasic, shopping or room list product in an appliance, pantry orretail/house area that product data can be sent to an appliance ornetwork with a notice or message regarding the product status or saiddata can be sent directly to a network to automatically place saidproduct into an order basket or place a product order, purchase, paymentprocessing or delivery request for said product(s). The app orderingfunction can also place an order after a predetermined time period, suchas after a 24 hour period. An app can also be connected to or incommunication with a camera or image database. For example, if a readerand computing device does not identify a smart/sensor product in anappliance, pantry or retail/house area, and prior to placing an orderbased on the product not being present, an app can compare the inventorymanagement data stores/bases with camera images, voice and smart/sensorproducts or databases as well as pending shopping orders or recentpurchase orders to verify the same or similar product is not availableand can also compare and review virtual shopping baskets. Therefore,when a smart/sensor reader detects an absent or missing product in anappliance, shopping or room list, the smart/sensor data base can querythe camera image, voice or text product data base to confirm or verifythe presence or absence of a product from one or more rooms prior tosending a notification or placing an order and the camera, voice or textordering functions can operating similarly with the respectivesmart/sensor reader and product data bases. In this manner if a smartbeacon detects that a box of tissues is absent or missing from a roomthe app can query the room and data bases to locate a product if it hasbeen moved to another room or location, can detect a similar productplaced or stored inside a pantry, can identify a pending order orvirtual shopping basket with the product or similar product and providea user a notice or place an order. An app can also have a mode to onlyidentify and display a digital list of products that have freshnesslevels or expiration dates within determined times or dates, such asdays, weeks or years. The app can also be configured to only identifycertain types or groups of products such as fresh foods including meat,fish, dairy or fruit and vegetables or container products. An applianceapp can be configured to create, read and display a list of products inan appliance, pantry or retail/house environment in alphabetical order,food or product group, gas freshness level and expiration date,expiration date order, to search for specific recipe products or aproduct group, type or specific product can be inputted into an app toquickly search for the product. An app can provide a list of productsthat are present, absent, in the incorrect room or location or cansuggest or recommend products based on products identified and stored inappliance, room, camera, voice, text and smart/sensor data bases. Forexample, a user can walk into their living room, bathroom, pantry oropen their refrigerator with a smart control, as explained herein, andthe smart/sensor reader or camera can immediately inform the user that abox of tissues, toilet paper, toothpaste or baking soda is absent ormissing and to place an order or to replace said absent product with onefrom another area in the house. The app can also provide the user withinformation such as how long a product was present in a room or areauntil the product was detected as absent. The appliance program or appcan then either place said product into an online or virtual orderbasket, and upon reaching a predetermined dollar amount can send theorder, or send a product request to order, purchase, payment process ordeliver for said products or via a third party product/service provider.Delivery request information can be sent by the order recipient,delivery service or connected network to a user with a schedule ofavailable times to select from and to confirm or a specific deliverytime confirmation can be sent. A notice and confirmation for each or anystep of the inventory management process can be provided to a user. Theaforementioned and all disclosure herein can also apply to productordering via voice or camera by capturing voice and images andtransmitting them to local, remote or network computing devices, serversor product inventory/ordering management systems which can query,connect and communicate with smart/sensors, voice or camera image datastorage bases/stores.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a housing with compartments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an appliance drawer.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an appliance with containers.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a schematic diagram of a controlsystem.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perishable food or item inside a container with acontainer technology and brand logos or names.

FIG. 6 describes a food or goods management system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for an appliance.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for an appliance.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart for an appliance.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart for an appliance.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a host appliance with an appliance.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an appliance with an induction plate.

FIG. 13 illustrates an appliance input/output port or connection andinterface with cable for a smart control or host appliance.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of a smart control in a base.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram for an appliance or network process.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram for an appliance or network process.

FIG. 17 illustrates a block diagram for an appliance or network process.

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram for an appliance or network process.

FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram for an appliance or network process.

FIG. 20 illustrates a block diagram for an appliance or network process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the attachednon-limiting

Figures. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , preferred embodiments include anappliance, multi-function appliance or appliance control system(“appliance”, “host appliance”, “smart control”) with an appliancecomprising any combination of the following functionalities, modes,elements and controls, but not limited thereto: an appliance compartmentconstructed to function as or with a vacuum system, an oven, a microwaveoven, an induction cooktop (“induction plate”), an electrical cookingheating element, a temperature controlled compartment or housing with atemperature means that can include conventional refrigeration coolingand heating systems, a Peltier device or solid state cooling and heating(condenser and condenser free systems)(which can be located inside oroutside an appliance compartment), a vacuum bag sealer with a heat barsealer situated inside a compartment, a UV light source system, ahandheld or manual container vacuum system, a handheld or manual UVlight system, a humidity and venting system, as well as, the otherpreviously disclosed wireless capabilities, functions and modes, thatcan be smart/sensor reader enabled and connect and communicate with anappliance control or operating system and can be controlled wirelesslyvia a smartphone, voice, AI, an appliance or an external appliance. Inone embodiment, an appliance can comprise any of the following such as,a housing (1) in which at least one sealable modular compartment (6) canbe disposed with at least one or more containers disposed therein. Avacuum pump can connect and communicate with the interior of the housingto create vacuum, pressure, venting and other environments inside saidcompartment and inside one-way valve or seal containers disposedtherein. As shown in FIG. 4 , an appliance control system (2) caninclude a display panel, microprocessor (CPU), memory device, networkinterface and software and hardware for a network enabled applianceincluding a wireless device connected to a microcontroller tocommunicate with cloud, internet or satellite networks, a smart control,other appliances, containers and to control and operate each system.Furthermore, a smart control (as shown in one embodiment in FIG. 14 ), asmart power-strip and an appliance can be constructed to incorporateinput/output ports (506), as shown in one embodiment in FIG. 13 , aninterface or a micro-controller to allow a user to connect a smartcontrol, a smart power-strip and an appliance together to communicate toallow software, an interface and micro-controllers to connect tocommunicate with hardware devices and with respective control andoperating systems. As used herein an input/output port (507) can includeany system, including cable or wireless, to couple a host appliance, asmart control or another appliance together to allow the creation of anetwork of cooking appliances to communicate and share information,data, electricity, wireless connectivity via cloud, internet, satellite,Bluetooth and control by a host appliance, smart control or appliance inthe network. The coupling device can include an input/output port,slidable connectors, click or snap connectors, etc. The appliancenetwork can also operate with appliances to connect to the network tofunction as a host appliance or as an appliance or a recipient ofnetwork data, connectivity, and electricity, among others.

An appliance control and operating system can selectively orautomatically activate and deactivate a vacuum pump and place said pumpin either a vacuum, pressure or vent mode. A pump can connect to theinterior of a compartment and communicate with a control system,smart/sensors and release valves connected to and in communication withsaid compartment. In differing embodiments, operating systems can bephysically located inside or outside, or a combination, of an appliancecompartment. Furthermore, said compartment cavities, spaces andapertures as disclosed herein can be constructed and designed to supporta combination of microwave oven (RF), induction plate (505), a foodheating element, oven, UV light source and environments such as vacuum,humidity, outgassing, venting, and temperature modes or functions andothers disclosed herein (“environments”).

Another embodiment provides an apparatus housing (18) and control andoperating systems to create, monitor, regulate, maintain and releasecompartment or container environments and can connect to and communicatewith a smart control, appliance operating systems, smart/sensors and acompartment. Operating systems, as described herein, can include productinventory, ordering, purchasing and payment processing systems and anappliance, smart control or smart power-strip function and mode tocreate a network of communicating appliances which can include smart,dumb and cable connected appliances, an appliance cooking network usingcooking synching algorithms, software and hardware interface system forlocal or remote data for a smart control and appliances which caninclude voice activation and interaction controls, an AI connectedcamera with facial, product and event recognition interface, hardwareand software for local or remote data including AI software andconnectivity via internet, cloud, satellite, etc., pump(s) (89),smart/sensors which can connect and communicate with products,containers and appliances (50) (which can include humidity, gas,temperature, tactile, time, pressure and vacuum, and as describedherein), valves (90), system status indicators, controls and reportingwith notifications and temperature (40) and humidity (35) controldevices, (41) single or multiple cameras (still and video) positioned orsituated inside a housing, on a compartment or an appliance door tomonitor a compartment interior, contents and record user, product andappliance event and transaction activities (42), ultraviolet lightemitting diode (UV light), (43) microwave oven, induction top, an ovenelectrical heating device for cooking and heating functions,smart/sensor tags and reader systems with associated software andhardware programs and functions (operating system(s), systems andcomponents) and a scanner to read bar and QR codes on containers forfood information, preparation and cooking times. Appliances and a smartcontrol, and respective control and operating systems, can connect andcommunicate with each other using compatible control and operatingsystems, programs and software. A temperature system (40) can create arange of temperature inside a housing (18), a compartment (6) and acontainer (30) disposed therein and can connect to a control system (2)and to individual or selected system components. A humidity system (35)can create a range of humidity inside a compartment and a containerdisposed therein and can connect to a control system and to individualor selected system components. Single or multiple UV lights (42) can bepositioned inside a compartment such as on a wall, top or bottom of saidcompartment with each configured to emit light having a peak wave lengthin the ultraviolet range to reduce or eliminate the growth of microbesin said compartment and on food, containers or items placed therein.

A microwave oven function can include microwave oven functions, wellknown in the art, such as power levels, defrost and cooking times (43),among others, to defrost or cook items inside said compartment and caninclude a camera (infrared) (41) to identify, monitor and interact withthe cooking process, products, contents and activity of a compartmentand to connect and communicate with a control and operating system andwith smart/sensors during the refrigeration or cooking process. In oneembodiment, a compartment housing can include, among other elements, awaveguide (45), cooling fan (46), magnetron (47), high voltage diode(48), high-voltage capacitor and a high-voltage transformer (49) or itcan include a solid state microwave system incorporating single ormultiple antennas or single or multiple RF sources connected toappliance control and operating systems, interfaces and software eachwith its own port into a compartment or cavity such that relative phasebetween the sources can be altered to shift nodes and anti-nodes and canfurther be connected to an appliance control and operating systemincorporating cooking and preservation algorithms, software and feedbackprocesses to control cooking and related functions including otherrelated elements all well known in the art. Additionally, a compartmentcan also include a vacuum hose attachment (50) in communication with andin connection with a vacuum pump and system under separate switch orcontrol or under control of an appliance control and operating system tocreate vacuum environments inside one-way valve containers and bags whenthe aperture of the hose is placed over a one-way valve, seal or othervacuum sealing mechanism on said container or bag and said vacuum systemis activated. The vacuum hose attachment can be removably incorporatedinto a housing or compartment. An assembly can include and comprise oneor more external vacuum hose input ports connected to and incommunication with a vacuum pump in said appliance compartment orhousing to apply a vacuum to containers or bags. Said vacuum hose systemcan be manually activated via a switch or via an appliance control andoperating system.

Furthermore, a handheld UV light (51) and container vacuum system can beremovably incorporated into a housing or compartment as described aboveand can be activated or controlled manually by a switch or controlledvia an appliance control and operating system. A handheld UV light andhandheld vacuum system can connect to and communicate with an appliancecontrol and operating system or can be a wireless unit with a rechargeror system incorporated into an appliance housing or compartment.

A compartment storage cavity or space can include a mechanized turntable(52) to rotate with items placed thereon when the microwave oven or UVlight treatment functions are activated and can connect and communicatewith an appliance control and operating system. A turntable can be madeof any materials consistent with the use and need of a microwave oven orthe use with a UV light treatment source.

Furthermore, if said appliance is a combination vacuum sealing andmicrowave oven compartment, when the vacuum sealing function is selecteda user can manually seal the holes/apertures inside the compartmentcavity that allow delivery of the microwave energy into the compartmentcavity and venting with a cover or plate to form a hermetic or vacuumsealed compartment. The cover or plate (53) can be a friction cover suchas a concave/convex type mechanism. This function can also beelectronic, mechanical and controlled via a control and operating systemsuch that when a vacuum function is selected via a control system anmechanically controlled cover or plate can automatically seal theholes/apertures in a compartment with covers. Likewise, when a microwavefunction is selected, the covers or plates can manually be removed,slide or move to an open position or can be automatically opened usingan electronic device or mechanism via the control system connected to amechanism to allow the holes/apertures to move to an open position toallow microwave energy to pass into the compartment cavity and to ventthe compartment. Said covers or plates can be hinged, threaded, slide orpush to seal or can comprise off-set holes/apertures such that whenmoved the holes/apertures of two overlapping plates align to form anopen position and when moved to a close position one of the overlappingplates close the holes/apertures and seal said compartment. A venting orduct system can be utilized that can electrically open or close to allowair to enter or leave a chamber or compartment and be controlled asdescribed herein. Furthermore, a compartment venting system can also beactivated to function with a microwave function. The appliance systemcan be programmed to function with a default to the microwave or otherselected mode or function. An appliance can include a control andoperating system as described herein to communicate with and operate amicrowave oven function and the operation of other systems disclosedherein. A compartment can comprise any combination of the aforementionedcompatible control and operating systems which can function individuallyor in combination or sequence with other control and operating systems.

As shown in FIG. 12 , an appliance can also incorporate an inductionplate (505) into a compartment providing individual operating controlsincorporated into the induction plate, appliance induction control andoperating systems or a combination of controls. An induction plate canbe incorporated into the base or bottom of an appliance to create afixed and sealed appliance compartment component or the induction platecan be removable and can be constructed to fit into a cavity orcompartment recess designed to hold the plate. The plate canelectrically connect into an appliance compartment. In this manner, auser can open an appliance door placing suitable cookware into theappliance and activate the induction plate with controls on the plate orvia the appliance control and operating system. In another example, auser can place suitable cookware into the appliance and close theappliance door. The user can activate the induction plate, as noted, tooperate the appliance in a closed position to function as an inductionoven and can also activate a heating element which can be placed insidea compartment on the top of the appliance cavity to use individually orin combination with the induction plate. The heating element can also beoperated individually, via the appliance control and operating system orin combination with other operating systems and include operatingfunctions, temperature settings and auto shut off, among others. A usercan operate the induction plate mode or function and simultaneouslyoperate a venting mode and a microwave mode.

In another embodiment, an induction plate can be incorporated into thetop exterior cover of an appliance, as with the interior placement orthe induction plate can be constructed to fit under an appliance housingto form and be part of the appliance housing but separate from thecompartment cavity. An induction plate housing can also be a stand-alonehousing and separate from the appliance housing to hold the inductionplate or can be constructed as part of an appliance or attached to theappliance housing and can be affixed on top of the appliance housing.Further, an appliance can be constructed to be placed on top of aninduction plate without the use of an induction plate housing so thatthe induction plate can be moved from under the appliance for use andthen moved back underneath the housing to store. An induction plateconstructed into an appliance induction housing allows a user to slidethe induction plate out of the housing when needed to use the plate tocook an item and can control the plate as discussed. When a user isfinished, the induction plate is simply cleaned and pushed back into theappliance housing. The induction plate can be either fixed or removablydisposed in this configuration with the appliance housing. The plate canfit into a housing situated or positioned behind the appliance in avertical type arrangement, where the plate is vertically pulled out tothe side and then the plate is lowered down to sit on a countertop. Thisembodiment can also incorporate the other discussed embodiments herein.In another embodiment the induction plate can be constructed to fitinside an induction plate housing which is separate from an appliancehousing to slide the induction plate into and out of the housing for useand storage. An appliance can be placed on top of the induction platehousing, which holds the induction plate, in order to provide morecountertop space.

The induction plate can be designed to electrically connect to theappliance housing, appliance control and operating systems or canconnect directly to a wall socket. An appliance, induction plate andinduction plate housing can incorporate appropriate electrical socketsto interconnect and can provide electrical current to operate both theappliance and induction plate. In another embodiment, an appliance canbe designed with legs (602) to provide sufficient space underneath theappliance so that an induction plate can be moved and stored under theappliance. In another embodiment the induction plate can be affixed tothe side of an appliance external housing wall, for example, by means ofa locking, hydraulic, spring device, hinge or similar mechanisms andcombinations, so that a user can unlock or move the induction plate awayfrom the appliance external wall and place the induction plate onto acountertop so that the induction plate lies flat on a countertop for useand can then be returned to its original position to store the inductionplate. The individual, appliance and combined controls for the inductionplate can include power, function, memory, recipes, temperaturesettings, oven, plate, auto off, network interface, wirelessconnectivity and any others mentioned herein. The appliance andinduction plate control and operating systems can connect andcommunicate with each other wirelessly or by a cable connection and theinduction plate can function using the appliance operating system, itsown operating system or the operating system of a smart control orappliance. An induction plate can be removably disposed to use forcamping and other cooking locations and then returned and stored with orin appliance housing.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 16 , a smart control (508) or host appliance(500) can incorporate an interface and system to create a network ofsmart, dumb and cable connected appliances which can connect andcommunicate with multiple cooking appliances in a network to synch theappliance cooking times to prepare a meal for a set time using a smartcontrol, host appliance or appliance. A smart control and appliancecontrol and operating system can include a network interface,programmable cooking and timing software, hardware and algorithms towirelessly connect and communicate with appliances via Wi-Fi, cloud,satellite or internet and to connect and communicate with appliancesthat are not wirelessly enabled by connecting these appliances to asmart control or smart control base or a host appliance using single ormultiple electrical sockets situated on, connected to or incommunication with a smart control or host appliance which can eachcontrol, activate and deactivate an appliance via electrical socket.Each socket can be controlled and operated by an interface, a controland operating system of a smart control with a base, host or appliance.In this manner, a smart control, host or appliance can simultaneouslysequence multiple network cooking appliances with food items to completea cooking process at a predetermined time and to control all thewireless, socket and cable connected appliances via one smart control,host or appliance. The appliance electrical sockets can directly connectto a smart control or a smart control base under control of the smartcontrol, host or external appliance (501). Further, an applianceelectrical socket can connect to an electrical smart power-strip typedevice which can connect to the smart control or base, host or externalappliance. In another embodiment an external appliance can connect andcommunicate with control and operating systems via a single or multipleinput/output cable that can connect to and communicate with a smartcontrol or base, host, smart power-strip or appliance input/output portcable connection and interface and each respective control and operatingsystem and vice versa. In another embodiment, a smart power-strip, hostor appliance can connect and communicate to a smart control and controland operating system via an input/output cable connecting the respectivecontrol and operating systems or via electrical sockets which can becontrolled by the smart control and operating system and software. Asmart control operating system can function like a host applianceoperating system; however, a smart control is a stand-alone controldevice or appliance similar to a smartphone that can monitor, controland regulate the operating systems of a network comprising a host, smartor dumb appliance. Dumb appliances can be appliances that do not havewireless connection capabilities or enablement and can connect to anappliance network via a host, smart control or smart power-strip cableinput/output port, interface or microcontroller or multiple port systemor one or more controlled electrical socket connections.

A smart control (508) can function as a countertop, refrigerator orhandheld or appliance device to provide cooking instructions; monitorand control an appliance cooking network; function as a household orroom security platform or device by connecting to a camera doorbellsystem or other home security camera systems and monitor with itssecurity camera system; a camera with a motion detector, GPS, to detectand report levels of gas or ambient contaminants; check productinventory and place product orders, purchases and home delivery, using asmart speaker (509) and can include the control and operating systems ofa smartphone or host appliance such as wireless enablement andcommunication, CPU, memory, control, smart/sensors and smart/sensorreader, camera or video, display panel (600), input/output andprogrammable capabilities (601), AI, augmented and virtual reality food,preparation, recipe or cooking capabilities with software and hardwareto connect and communicate wirelessly, via electrical socket orinput/output ports, interface or microcontroller with cable (503) toeach host, appliance or smart power-strip control and operating systemconnected to the smart control. A smart control can be placed into abase which can support and recharge the smart control. The smart controlcan also create a connection with the base via connectors situated atthe bottom or base of the smart control to recharge and to connect thesmart control operating system with the base and any appliancesconnected to the base to control them. Furthermore, a smart control canbe placed into a refrigerator. A smart control base can also be placedinto a refrigerator and can be connected by a flat, electrical cablethat can connect to an electrical source outside of the refrigerator,for example into a wall unit. In this manner, a smart control can beplaced inside a refrigerator to track and monitor products, orderproducts, etc., as previously discussed herein. A smart control can alsooperate with batteries. A smart control can be placed inside anappliance, pantry or house area to monitor products and activity and toorder items or can be removed from an appliance such as a refrigeratorto read and order products from areas such as the pantry or other houseareas. The smart control can also be placed onto a kitchen counter in abase to control the cooking process of a network of appliances asdisclosed herein. The smart control can also connect and communicatewith online cooking sites or recipes to provide step by step cookingpreparation and instructions to prepare a meal and to order products tomake specific recipes or suggest recipes based upon existing productinventory and smart/sensor freshness information.

A smart control, host and appliance can use compatible software,hardware and communication systems to connect and operate. A smartcontrol or appliance can control and operate another appliance via cableto activate or deactivate an appliance control and operating system aswith the electrical sockets. For example, a rice cooker and a vegetablesteamer can be connected to a host or appliance via electrical socketand an input/output port with cables connecting the respective controland operating systems to connect and communicate with or between a host,appliance or smart power-strip to connect and to communicate between thehost appliance control and operating system, an appliance or smartpower-strip control and operating system. The cooking times, recipe,serving portions, weights, product type and other relevant cookinginformation for each item and appliance can be network accessed,programmed, read or scanned from smart/sensors or bar/QR codes or datavia the internet, cloud, satellite or other, into a smart control orappliance control and operating system or entered into the appliancecontrol and operating system for each connected appliance input/outputport with cable or electrical socket for each appliance and hostappliance. The host appliance control and operating system and softwarecan determine, control and regulate the network of appliances andcalculate and provide the required refrigeration, defrost, cooking andwarming times and sequences for each appliance in the network tocomplete the appliance network cooking cycle at a determined time. (SeeFIGS. 7-8 and 16 ) For example, a user can prepare a meal by placing achicken or fish item into an appliance compartment. The food item can befrozen or sealed in one-way valve or seal enclosed cooking container.The appliance can be programmed to automatically or selectivelycalculate the required cooking time and sequence for the food item witheach network appliance to complete the cooking process for a meal at adetermined time period. The system also allows for appliance ambient andfunction feedback to optimize the cooking and sequencing for theappliance network. The appliance can select to defrost the food itemusing an RF microwave function or can select to preserve and cool theitem until it is ready to cook the item using a solid state coolingfunction or compartment venting function. The appliance can then cookthe food item using the RF microwave function while also calculating orusing the provided cooking times to sequence, synch and activate theother network cooking appliances so that the rice and steamed vegetablesare cooked and ready to eat at the same time the chicken is finished.After the food items are cooked the smart control or host appliance cancontrol and regulated each appliance to warm the food items until a useris ready to eat and deactivates the system. The food cookingcalculation, sequencing and timing can be based on the smart control,host or appliance control and operating systems. This allows a user toeffortlessly plan and prepare a meal and have it prepared at the sametime. Furthermore, an appliance network program can be activated,controlled, delayed or interrupted using a smartphone or remoteapplication which can automatically make the necessary cookingadjustments to the smart control, host or appliance by connecting andcommunicating with each appliance control and operating system. In thisway, a user only has to communicate with a smart control or hostappliance to control and communicate with the network of connectedappliances to plan and prepare a meal. Furthermore, all the appliancesin the network do not need to be Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or internet enabled.CPG-food containers can incorporate smart/sensors and bar/QR codes toprovide recipe, cooking and sequence times which can be read or scannedinto a smart control or appliance via a reader or scanner for a smartcontrol or appliance for the network appliances that are connected toand in communication with a smart control or host appliance. CPG-foodcontainers with smart/sensors and bar/QR codes can provide informationand data to control a smart control or appliance control and operatingsystem, functions and modes as noted.

Further, a smart control, host appliance or an appliance can have aunique telephone number to allow a user to remotely access to providevoice commands and to view and monitor a location the smart control isplaced such as inside an appliance, in the kitchen or other. Voicecommands can also be used via internet protocol or other cable, cloud,Skype or wireless protocols as described herein. Furthermore appliancecontrol orders or commands can be provided using smartphone applicationssuch as text, WhatsApp, email, scanning bar/QR codes or other productidentifiers described herein. As noted, a smart control can have arechargeable base so that the smart control can be docked into a chargerand used on a kitchen countertop or inside a refrigerator which can thenbe removed to use in other locations similar to a smartphone. The smartcontrol can also be used to control a refrigerator either with wirelessconnection and communication or via connectors at the base of the smartcontrol which when placed inside an smart control base inside andconnected to an appliance operating system connects the smart control tothe appliance operating system. In this manner a smart control canoperate and control the functions of a refrigerator and can be removedfor other uses as described herein.

An appliance, in a host appliance or smart control mode, can connect andcommunicate with a host or appliance control, software and operatingsystems wirelessly, via input/output ports and interface with aconnecting cable or via electrical sockets. A host appliance or smartcontrol can create a unidirectional, bidirectional or multidirectionalrelationship between and among a smart control, smart power-strip, hostand an appliance. Further, a host appliance, smart power-strip or smartcontrol can communicate with smart appliances, dumb appliances thatincorporate input/output port interfaces and cable enabled connectionsbetween and among appliance control and operating systems and withappliances that can connect and communicate via an electrical socket. Asnoted, these relationships can be created using a wireless communicationor system where each appliance can be a smart appliance. In anotherembodiment, a smart control or host appliance can be the only smartappliance that connects and communicates with external appliances. Theexternal appliances can connect and communicate via dedicated electricalsockets on or in communication with the smart control or host applianceor can connect directly to an electrical outlet source. Further, theexternal appliance control or operating system can connect via aninput/output cable to the smart control and host appliance control oroperating system to communicate and vice versa. Each smart control, hostor external appliance can have a unique input/output cable connectionfor a programmed appliance, type of appliance or product or a generalinput/output cable connection can be read and identified by the smartcontrol or host appliance to connect and communicate with eachrespective external appliance that is connected to the smart control orhost appliance.

In another embodiment, an electrical smart power-strip type device canconnect to a wall or power source. The smart power-strip can bewirelessly enabled to communicate with a smart control or hostappliance. An external appliance can electrically connect via socket orvia an input/output cable to connect the external appliance control andoperating system to connect and communicate wirelessly with a smartcontrol or host appliance, as disclosed herein. The smart power-stripcan also be used to connect and communicate directly with a smartcontrol or host appliance. Additionally, external appliances can alsoconnect to other external appliances and to a smart control or hostappliance via an input/output cable. A smart control or host appliancecan be configured or include a function or mode to only operate anexternal appliance. For example, a user plans a meal with rice andvegetables. The user retrieves a rice cooker from a cabinet and connectsthe electrical cord into a wall socket or into a general or definedelectrical socket on or in communication with the smart control or hostappliance. This electrical cord can also include an input/output cableconnecting the external appliance control and operating systems to asmart control or host appliance. The user then connects the input/outputcable connecting an external appliance control and operating system tothe smart control or host appliance control and operating systems via adedicated or general input/output connection. The user then connects avegetable steamer in the same manner. The user scans, reads or inputsthe necessary product, container, time, serving portion, weight, etc.and sequence information for each connected external appliance into thesmart control or host appliance control and operating system via theinput, scanner or reader connected and in communication with the smartcontrol or host appliance or via another appliance and sends it to anappliance. Or if the appliance is a reader enabled microwave or oven, acooking container with a smart/sensor can be placed directly into theappliance with the cooling and cooking data automatically entered. Acamera can also determine the product type and above information to setthe temperatures for each cooking step. Additionally, a food scale canbe connected to a smart control or host appliance via an input/outputconnection or wirelessly connected to input said data into an applianceoperating system and software to determine cooking and sequence times.The smart control or host appliance software and control and operatingsystems complete the sequenced cooking process for each connectedappliance. A user can then add a piece of fish into the microwave or adda pot of water onto an appliance induction plate and place a sous videcooker into the pot and connect it as noted, to cook a steak, input saidinformation into the smart control or host appliance and the smartcontrol or host appliance can make the necessary cooking, timing andsequence adjustments for the host and external appliances. Furthermore,a user can use voice, AI or a smartphone or smartphone application tochange the meal time, cancel or add one or more food items via thecontrol and operating systems of a smart control or host appliance whichin turn can make all the necessary cooking, timing and sequenceadjustments and send cooking status messages and provide camera imagesand monitoring of the products in and of said appliance.

As previously described herein, an oven or a microwave can include arefrigeration system to work in combination with the heating elements toprepare and cook a food item which can include a condenser or a solidstate cooling system.

For example, the above disclosed microwave cooking process can be usedwith a microwave oven, oven or combination appliance with a cooling andcooking element or function. An appliance can include operating systemsas described herein for an oven with controls for temperature and heatand fans and to control respective air ducts (open/close) including aframe comprising a refrigeration-cooking compartment with a door. Singleor multiple heating elements can be disposed inside therefrigeration-cooking compartment to provide heat to therefrigeration-cooking compartment to defrost, cook or warm food items. Atemperature cooling system can be disposed inside the housing orcompartment to cool and preserve a food item until it is ready todefrost or cook. Further, an inlet duct can extend between therefrigeration-cooking compartment and a cooling element or modulesituated inside the compartment or housing. An outlet duct incommunication with the refrigeration-cooking compartment can open andclose to allow the compartment to be refrigerated or to vent thecompartment. A refrigeration system can comprise a compressor, condenseror evaporator or a solid state cooling system which can include a fan orventing system such that when the refrigeration system is connected andin communication with the refrigeration-cooking compartment arefrigerated air path can be created between the cooling system ormodule and the refrigeration-cooking compartment. Therefrigerated-cooking oven and microwave can each be smart applianceswith camera, voice and wireless interface controls such as a smartwatch, phone or other and with wireless connectivity and cable networkcapability as described herein.

Furthermore, an oven and warming drawer combination can include awarming drawer which can be a multi-function drawer to warm products orcreate vacuum environments with other functions as described herein. Thevacuum-warming drawer can be constructed into the frame of a kitchencabinet or frame or housing of an oven appliance or can be a separateappliance. Further, the warming drawer can incorporate the heating coilsor solid state heating system of an oven which can work in combinationwith the solid state cooling system of a refrigerated-cooking oven. Allcombination appliances disclosed herein can incorporate independent,combined or remote operating systems and further the power controlcircuitry can also be independent or combined. A vacuum-warming drawercan be located below an oven and supported therewith, can be placedabove an oven and be supported therewith and can further be a smartappliance or connected with the oven for smart connectivity. Operatingcontrols for the drawer can be combined with an oven or be separate forthe drawer.

An oven can include connected or wireless refrigerated-cooking feedbacktools located inside the refrigerated-cooking compartment, attached to aproduct or container to be refrigerated or cooked inside a compartmentor attached to an open or closed product container which holds theproduct placed inside the refrigerated-cooking compartment.

Furthermore, a refrigerated oven or microwave can each incorporatenumerous operating modes as discussed herein. Each can function torefrigerate and preserve a food item. Each can function to defrost, cookor warm a food item. Each can use UV light treatment to disinfect a fooditem and incorporate cameras, smart/sensors and readers to track,monitor, view (504) and control the cooking process. Each function canoperate individually or together in sequence and additionally eachfunction or mode can be network, locally or remotely controlled andoperated by an appliance. Furthermore, product refrigeration, warming,defrost and UV information can be entered into an oven or microwave, aspreviously noted, via the internet, reading or scanning bar/QR codes orsmart/sensors, using voice to activate voice controls to enter saidinformation or using smartphone apps such as reading or scanningsmart/sensors or bar/QR codes. A user can individually select each ofthe following modes, combinations or sequential combinations or saidproduct information can be automatically entered and the user can thenedit said information. Any of the technologies disclosed herein canfunction, operate or be combined in any complementary order orcombination.

A smart control or appliance can include voice recognition, interactionand speech using appliance or internet or cloud connected software asdiscussed herein to allow a user to provide commands or trigger words tocontrol, regulate and activate an appliance or an external appliance foreach appliance function such as vacuum, refrigeration, preserve, cook,warm, vent, add or remove products, change meal or predetermined cooktimes or any of the other appliance modes, functions or processes notedherein including each cooking and preservation function and mode.

A smart control or appliance can also incorporate single or multiplecameras that can be AI connected in a compartment connected and incommunication with an appliance control and operating system to identifyusers, individuals, containers, products, transactions and events usingappliance, internet and satellite or cloud software, interfaces andprocesses as noted herein. For example, a camera can be used to identifya container or a product placed inside a compartment to adjust therequired compartment temperature for an individual product or set aspecific or mean temperature for more than one product. If the cameradoes not view a product in a compartment the temperature can be loweredto a predetermined temperature level until a product or container isidentified. A camera can identify containers placed into an appliance toactivate functions to create a predetermined vacuum level or to ventcontainers for one or more products with an individual, mean oroptimized setting for all items, as with the temperature setting,accessing said data from a an local, remote or networked food data base.A camera can identify food items inside an appliance compartment and setthe most effective temperature, humidity, venting and pressure settingsfor one or more food items that can include the same or different itemssuch as fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, bakery, fish or a range ofrespiring or non-respiring food items. A camera can capture images offood during the refrigeration and cooking process to control or regulatethe temperature or turn on and off appliance functions if splattering,burning, fire or other identified events occur. A camera can capture acontainer or food item being placed inside a refrigerated appliance andrecommend to a user the most effective storage placement inside therefrigerator by suggesting via voice, light or location the mosteffective food drawer, shelf, appliance function or location to placesaid product. A camera can identify a user and recommend food itemsinside an appliance that fit a described fitness or lifestyle based onhealth, weight or medical or health needs and requirements. A camera asnoted herein can connect to and communicate with a smart/sensor.

Each appliance operating system such as vacuum, temperature, UV,outgassing, venting and humidity can communicate or connect tosmart/sensors and said smart/sensors can communicate or connect tooperating systems such as vacuum, temperature, UV and humidity systemsto activate, deactivate, interrupt, create, regulate and maintainindividual or selected operating systems, processes and environments asdescribed herein. For example, smart/sensors such as temperature,vacuum, gas and humidity, can communicate with a control and operatingsystem to individually or in combination activate or deactivate a pumpor valve(s) to an open or close position when a predetermined level,range or value of temperature, vacuum, gas, time or humidity is created,maintained or exceeded inside a compartment or inside a containerdisposed therein or after a preset period of time. A compartment caninclude a seal (91) on the open and close mechanism or device for thecompartment aperture as disclosed herein. All appliance functions andprocesses can be controlled and monitored via an appliance, smartphoneor program or app.

Status indicators can include a sound, noise, light or series of lightslocated on the front of an appliance which can illuminate in colors toinform of each system's status for any appliance function or mode, suchas, red when a vacuum is being created and green when a vacuum is beingreleased from a compartment or when a UV light source treatment is inprocess or has terminated. Furthermore, a compartment can include anexternal or internal multi-colored light source that is activated whenone of the functions are initiated and additionally can remain activatedas long as a product is left or remains inside a compartment or if anappliance aperture has not been opened and closed since the lastappliance operation. This light source can have designated light colorsfor each or unique appliance events; for example, a microwave functioncan include a red light; a vacuum function a green light; and a UV lighttreatment a blue light to status the appliance function. Additionally, acombined appliance system can incorporate a default setting, such thatan appliance is always in a microwave setting or function, an oven in arefrigeration or cooking mode and other functions such as vacuum sealingor UV light treatment can be selected but then default to the microwaveoven function.

As shown herein, an appliance housing (1) can include a compartment (6)disposed therein comprising exterior walls with a slidable drawer (4)that can serve as an internal holding area or retaining compartment (9)for goods with a front wall (10) that can serve as a means to open,close or seal said compartment. Housings can include, but are notlimited to, a microwave oven, refrigerator, freezer, cabinet, shell,breadbox, drawer or hinged or unhinged doored or covered compartments. Acompartment can include an aperture comprising a drawer (6), door (93),bin, pivot bin, lid or cover, any of which can be hingedly attached to ahousing or compartment or surrounding area.

An appliance compartment (6) can be constructed and arranged so thatwhen a retaining compartment, such as a drawer (10), is in a closedposition inside a compartment said drawer can create a seal between theengaging surfaces of a compartment and the interior of a drawer. Thecreated seal can also be airtight or can create a vacuum or microwaveseal. An induction plate can also be incorporated into a drawer withother appliance functions such as vacuum, etc. Further, in otherembodiments, when an appliance vacuum is created inside a compartment aseal can be formed between a front wall of a drawer unit (7) and thewalls of a compartment (8). A sealing device (91) can also be providedpositioned between or around the engaging surfaces of a compartment andthe interior (9) of a drawer or a door (93). Additionally, a sensor (12)can be positioned on a drawer or door of a refrigerator or compartmentand connect to operating systems and to a control system to indicate theopen, close and seal status to activate and deactivate individual orselected operating systems. Furthermore, a mechanical or electricallatch mechanism can be provided to secure a drawer or aperture and acompartment together when the interior portion of a drawer issubstantially contained inside a compartment to engage a drawer and acompartment together to seal said compartment interior. A latchmechanism can connect to a control system and to individual or selectedoperating systems to activate or deactivate individual or selectedoperating systems. A drawer can also include a handle (5).

Other aspects of the invention provide an appliance programmable controlsystem, which can comprise a display panel (41), operating systemcontrols (42) and a microprocessor and memory device (92), for a housingor a compartment to connect and communicate with operating systemcomponents to activate, deactivate, control, monitor, release andregulate any of the operating and elements and systems disclosed hereinsuch as a pump(s) (43), latch mechanism, sensors (50), valves (48),system status indicators connected to sensors, and controls, andmicrowave oven, oven, induction plate, external appliances, UV lightsource, vacuum, temperature, outgassing and humidity systems.Accordingly, each operating system and compartment can interconnect andinter-communicate with each other, or via a control system, to functiontogether or individually to carry out the processes described herein.Accordingly, as an example, a control system can activate or deactivatea pump to vent, cool or create vacuum and pressure environments inside acompartment, as well as, activate or deactivate a gas or release valveto open or close positions to seal or unseal a compartment.Additionally, a control system can connect to and communicate withsmart/sensors (50) described herein and said smart/sensors can connectto and communicate with a control system (20) and each operating systemsuch as a pump(s), valves, latch mechanism, smart/sensors, system statusindicators, system controls and vacuum, temperature and humidity systemsto activate, deactivate, create, monitor, regulate, maintain and releaseoperating systems, environments, such as, vacuum, pressure, temperature,humidity, gas, air, components and processes for and in a housing,compartment and containers disposed therein and combinations thereof. Auser interface with an led display and apparatus power source (46, 47)with touch, keyed or digital display panel functionality can operativelyconnect to and communicate with a control system to allow the input ofinstructions, formulas, time sequences, algorithms and values to operateexternal appliances and each or selected appliance system components,systems and processes described herein. A user interface, situated on acompartment or a housing exterior or interior front panel, access orsurrounding areas can also comprise touch panel controls, switches,buttons and knobs to connect to and communicate with operating systemsand housing components. The operating systems can be programmed to beactivated and deactivated automatically via a control system or manuallyvia a control panel or via each operating system.

In another embodiment a vacuum sensor can communicate with a compartmentinterior and operatively connect to a housing, compartment or controlsystem to open and close a gas or release valve and to activate anddeactivate a pump(s). Alternately, a vacuum sensor can connect directlyto a pump(s), a housing, compartment or valve. Furthermore, a housing orcompartment sensor, as described herein, such as vacuum, temperature,pressure, tactile, drawer and refrigerator door open, close and sealstatus sensors can operatively connect in combination to a pump,valve(s), sensors and housing or compartment operating systems to openand close a valve(s) or to activate or deactivate a pump(s).

A control system or pump and valve can also be activated to vent or coola compartment interior by activating a pump to draw or pump air througha compartment interior and contemporaneously activate a valve or arelease valve to open positions. These functions can be activatedsimultaneously with other appliance modes such as microwave, inductionplate and compartment heat element functions. A compartment or housingcontrol system or a vacuum sensor can activate a pump and a valve tocreate a predetermined vacuum level in a compartment or containerdisposed therein. A pressure release or valve can release apredetermined amount of vacuum from inside a compartment at apredetermined time period, pressure level or when a level is reached orexceeded and a vacuum can also be released via the aperture of acompartment.

A compartment can comprise multiple storage functions or modes (45) suchas, but not limited to, a conventional compartment with operatingsystems placed in either off or idle positions, a vacuum compartment, apressurized compartment, a venting compartment, a cooling compartment, ahumidity compartment, an outgassing compartment, a processingcompartment to create environments inside containers disposed therein,such as temperature, humidity, vacuum, pressure, venting, cooling andoutgassing, a processing compartment to emit UV light to treat itemsplaced inside said compartment, a monitoring compartment to view,monitor and interact with items inside said compartment via a cameralocated inside said compartment, a microwave oven, induction plate,electrical heating element and an oven function to defrost or cook itemsplaced inside said compartment, among others.

Some of the appliance, operating and control system functionalities andmodes can include, but are not limited to:

1.) A function to create a range of temperature inside a housing to coolor warm a compartment or container disposed therein.

2.) A function to activate a pump and close a valve or to close a valveand activate a pump or to contemporaneously activate a pump and close avalve to create a vacuum environment inside a compartment when saidcompartment aperture is closed and sealed.

3.) A function to activate a pump and close a valve or to close a valveand activate a pump or to contemporaneously activate a pump and close avalve to create a pressurized environment inside a compartment when saidcompartment aperture is closed and sealed.

4.) A function to activate a pump (in vacuum or pressure mode) while acompartment valve is contemporaneously actuated to an open position tovent, cool or degas said compartment and contents therein. Furthermore,a temperature smart/sensor or control system can activate a valve to aclose position after a predetermined value, time period or level ofvacuum, temperature or humidity has been established, reached orexceeded inside a compartment. This setting is applicable to any mode orfunction described herein.

5.) A function to activate a pump (vacuum or pressure mode) and tosimultaneously close a valve to create a pressure or vacuum environmentinside a compartment and to maintain said pressure or vacuum levelinside said compartment until it is deactivated manually orautomatically via a control system.

6.) A function to activate a pump and to close a valve to create apre-determined vacuum in a compartment and when said maximum pressurelevel reaches or exceeds a pre-determined level, time period or value tothen deactivate said pump and open a valve to release said vacuum andopen said compartment by admitting air into said compartment.

7.) A function to activate a pump and to close a valve to create apreset vacuum level inside a compartment and when said maximum vacuumlevel reaches or exceeds a pre-determined time period, level or value toopen a valve to release said vacuum by admitting air into a compartmentand to deactivate said pump.

8.) A function to activate a pump and to close a valve to create avacuum inside a compartment and when said maximum vacuum level reachesor exceeds a pre-determined level, time period or value to concurrentlyopen a valve and deactivate a pump to admit air into said compartment torelease said vacuum.

9.) A function to activate a pump and to close valves to create a presetvacuum in a compartment and thereafter for a pump to intermittentlyremove air or gas from the interior of said compartment or a containerdisposed therein. Further, said pump can intermittently remove air andgas following the reduction of the pressure in a compartment to aselected pressure. As previously noted, a smart/sensor as describedherein, can communicate or connect to an appliance, a compartmentinterior, a container, a product, a control system or operating systemsuch that when a predetermined gas level fails, reaches or exceeds apre-determined level or value smart/sensor can communicate with anappliance control system, activate a pump to remove additional air orgas from a compartment or send a notice to a client device, user,network, local or remote computing device or third party service/productprovider. Further, a smart/sensor can communicate with a control system,activate a pump or activate a valve to an open position to removeadditional air or gas from a compartment. A smart/sensor can alsoactivate a pump and activate a valve to an open position to vent acompartment and remove air or gas, including a container disposedtherein. As disclosed herein, smart/sensors can be located in productstorage areas, appliances, containers or attached or affixed toappliances and function as previously noted.

10.) A function to activate a pump and to close a valve to create avacuum in a compartment, maintain said vacuum level for a pre-determinedperiod of time and, thereafter, open a valve to admit air into saidcompartment to release a vacuum.

11.) A function to activate and place a valve in a closed or openposition to seal or unseal a compartment to create, regulate and releaseenvironments from inside a compartment.

12.) A function to concurrently open a valve and to activate a pump(vacuum or pressure mode) to draw or push air into or out of acompartment to release or create environments therein.

13.) A function to deactivate a pump when a valve is in a close positionto admit air into a compartment through an open and close aperturemechanism, such as a drawer or door opening, of a compartment to releasea vacuum.

14.) A function to deactivate a pump and admit air into a compartmentthrough an open and close aperture mechanism, such as a drawer or dooropening, of a compartment to release a vacuum.

15.) A function to deactivate all or selected operating systems or placeall or selected operating systems in an idle state.

16.) A function to close or open a valve when a compartment aperturemechanism, such as a drawer or door opening, is in a close or openposition via an aperture sensor placed on a compartment or refrigeratoraperture and in communication with a control system.

17.) A function to allow a valve to have an independent pressure settingor to be connected to a control system in a compartment to automaticallyopen to release a vacuum created therein when a vacuum level is reachedor exceeded inside said compartment and to automatically deactivate avacuum pump creating said vacuum. As used herein, when a vacuum isreleased from a compartment said compartment is returned to atmosphericpressure.

18.) A function to operate, control and regulate a single or multiple UVlights positioned inside a compartment to treat the environment,containers or food items placed therein. The UV light can function in anappliance storage function or container processing mode and can furtherbe sequenced to function for a period of time, a value or time intervalprior to, in one instance, creating and maintaining a vacuumenvironment. Furthermore, the UV lighting treatment can functionintermittently for programmed or sequenced time intervals or periods orupon the certain environmental parameters being reached and between andin sequence with other appliance functions.

19.) A function or mode to operate and control a microwave oven or ovento defrost, prepare and cook items placed inside a compartment.

20.) A function or mode to operate and control a camera for facialrecognition, product recognition and event recognition using stillphotos and video and connected and in communication with voicerecognition and interaction systems as well as AI, event, product andfacial recognition software and internet and cloud connectivity tomonitor and interact with users, events and products.

21.) A function for all modes to allow a control system or a containerwith a wireless communication device to automatically activate a mode,series or sequence of modes or functions for determined or sensorprompted actions as described herein.

22.) A function that automatically turns off the temperature or reducessaid temperature to a predetermined level when no container or food itemis detected inside an appliance or compartment when the temperaturefunction is activated and then return the temperature level to theprevious setting when a food item or container is placed, identified orsensed inside said compartment. This function can be selectivelyactivated or automatically via a sensor in a compartment or a sensor andwireless device attached to or inside a container in communication witha control system or via a camera system described herein connected toAI, internet and cloud services.

23.) A function or mode to activate, deactivate, regulate and operate avacuum hose attachment to create vacuum environments inside one-wayvalve containers and bags. Said function can be selectively activatedvia a switch connected and in communication to the vacuum hose pump orvia an appliance control system connected and in communication with thevacuum pump.

24.) A function or mode to activate, deactivate, regulate and operate ahandheld

UV light to disinfect and treat an appliance compartment or food anditems placed inside the appliance compartment. The UV light can connectand communicate with an appliance control system or can connect,communicate and be actuated via a switch. Furthermore, a UV light can bewireless, rechargeable and be attached to, located or situated inside anappliance, appliance housing or compartment such as a recess or otherconstructed area to hold said device.

25.) An appliance function or mode to control, regulate and operate ahumidity system to humidify the interior of an appliance compartment andcontainers placed therein.

26.) An appliance function or mode to control, regulate and operate aninduction plate connected to or in communication with an appliance.

27.) An appliance function or mode to control, regulate and operate thetemperature of an electrical heating element inside an appliance orcompartment to function individually or in combination for example withan induction plate.

28.) An appliance function or mode to calculate, control, regulate andoperate an appliance software and hardware program to control thesimultaneous cooking sequence and timing of single or multiple externalappliances connected to and in communication with an appliance as wellas the host appliance with wireless connectivity to internet and cloudfunctions to program, time and sequence multiple appliance cooking timesand functions.

29.) An appliance function or mode to electrically (mechanically) openand close an appliance compartment venting system to open to allowcompartment venting and cooling and to close to create a sealed orvacuum sealed environment.

30.) An appliance or smart control function or mode incorporating an AIconnected camera with product, image, facial, transactional, event andactivity recognition software to monitor an appliance housing,compartment and areas in the vicinity of an appliance, compartment orsmart control.

Further, methods are provided for the use and interaction of a smartcontrol, appliance and smart power-strip network and individually, aswell as, for the use of containers, described herein, for use with thenetwork and individually for a smart control and appliance and for theoperation and function of each container.

Control and operating systems, elements, functions or modes disclosedherein can be connected to or in communication with said appliancecontrol and operating system which in turn can be connected to internetand cloud services. The appliance control system can be pre-programmedor programmable for each individual mode or operating function orcombinations thereof. For example, each mode can be manually,automatically or in combination, selected via an appliance controlsystem or each operating system selectively or individually, incombination or sequence. Single or multiple appliance modes or functionscan sequence together, simultaneously, in series, selectively orautomatically, and upon predetermined, programmable, sensed, timed,heard, voice, triggered, camera viewed, AI motivated or acted upon orenvironmental parameters not achieved, achieved or exceeded. Forexample, a venting mode can be selected to vent a compartment atspecified time or gas intervals and during said operation a user canplace a one-way valve container into said compartment and select avacuum sealing mode or the container can wirelessly communicate thismode to the control system to activate. The vacuum sealing mode can beactivated and once a predetermined vacuum level is created and releasedthis mode terminates and the venting mode automatically resumes.Further, each of the appliance modes can operate and function via apredetermined level, range or value of temperature, vacuum, gas, time,interval, occurrence or humidity level is created, maintained orexceeded inside a compartment or inside a container disposed therein orafter a preset period of time. A compartment can also include sensors,such as weight, laser, proximity or other, connected to and incommunication with said containers or control system to sense oridentify if a food item or container is present inside a compartmentwhen said temperature function has been activated and requires thetemperature function. If a food item or container is sensed then thetemperature function can be activated and maintained. If a food item orcontainer is not sensed or identified then the temperature setting canbe turned off or lowered to a preset temperature setting to save on theappliance operating costs. Each of the appliance functions and modesdescribed herein include methods for operations and functions describedherein such as selecting an appliance function or mode, combiningappliance functions and modes, using a container with appliancefunctions and modes, combining said functions and modes and sequencingappliance functions or modes with other functions and modes and withfunctions and modes of a smart control, smart power-strip or appliancewhich can be further defined by appliance environmental, operational andcontrol systems and internet, cloud, AI, product, event and facialrecognition software and voice command and recognition connectedparameters.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A system for identifying a food product in a container in arefrigerator and determining a stimulus or a level of freshness,spoilage or contamination of the food product, comprising: a radiofrequency tag inside the container or connected to the container; acomputing device configured to communicate with a user interface device,the computing device comprising a processor and a non-volatile,non-transitory memory; a radio frequency reader in communication withthe computing device, the radio frequency reader configured to send aradio wave to the container and the radio frequency tag, and receive asignal from the radio frequency tag; the radio frequency tag isconfigured to send identity information about the food product or thecontainer to the computing device; the radio frequency tag is configuredto receive the radio wave from the radio frequency reader to power theradio frequency tag; the radio frequency tag comprising a sensor portionthat contacts or interacts with the stimulus when present in thecontainer, wherein the stimulus comprising a solid compound, a liquidcompound, or a gaseous compound from the food product or a contaminatein the container; the radio frequency tag sending a signal to the radiofrequency reader, the signal containing information about the stimulusmeasured by the sensor; an application stored in the non-volatile,non-transitory memory and executable by the processor to: identify thefood product or the container based on the identity information receivedfrom the radio frequency reader and send the identity of the foodproduct or the container to the user interface device; interpret thesignal to detect the stimulus or to determine a level or quantity of thestimulus; determine at least one of, the stimulus or that the foodproduct is spoiled, the food product is contaminated or a level offreshness of the food product based on whether the level or quantity ofthe stimulus reaches or exceeds a profile; and send to the userinterface device a notice of the detection of the stimulus or that thefood product is spoiled, the food product is contaminated, or a level offreshness of the food product.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theradio frequency tag comprises a radio frequency identification tag, anNFC tag, or a radio frequency tag configured to use a Bluetooth protocoland the radio frequency reader and the computing device are configuredto read and interpret the signal containing information about thestimulus measured by the sensor from the radio frequency identificationtag, the NFC tag or the tag using a Bluetooth protocol.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the stimulus comprises one of an analyte, a mold, anethylene, an alkene, an alkyne, an acid, a ketone, an ester, analdehyde, an alcohol, an ether, a thiol, an ammonia, mono-nitrogen oxideor an amine.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface devicecomprises at least one of a smart speaker, a smartphone, a handhelddevice, a client device, a tablet, a beacon or a display to displayinformation.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the application furthercomprising transmitting an order request or placing the food product ona digital list.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the order request orthe digital list comprises a purchase, an order, a replacement, orinventory management for the food product for a manufacturer, awholesaler, a retailer, order chain, or a consumer.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag is attached to an exterior ofthe container.
 8. A system for identifying a food product in a containerand determining a stimulus or a level of freshness, spoilage orcontamination of the food product with an appliance, comprising: a radiofrequency tag inside the container or connected to the container; anappliance computing device comprising a processor and a non-volatile,non-transitory memory; a radio frequency reader in communication withthe computing device, the radio frequency reader configured to send aradio wave to the container and the radio frequency tag, and receive asignal from the radio frequency tag; the radio frequency tag isconfigured to send identity information about the food product or thecontainer to the computing device; the radio frequency tag is configuredto receive the radio wave from the radio frequency reader to power theradio frequency tag; the radio frequency tag comprising a sensor portionthat contacts or interacts with the stimulus when present in thecontainer, wherein the stimulus comprising a solid compound, a liquidcompound, or a gaseous compound from the food product or a contaminatein the container; the radio frequency tag sending a signal to the radiofrequency reader, the signal containing information about the stimulusmeasured by the sensor; an application stored in the non-volatile,non-transitory memory and executable by the processor to: identify thefood product or container based on the identity information receivedfrom the radio frequency reader and send the identity of the foodproduct or the container to the appliance; interpret the signal todetect the stimulus or to determine a level or quantity of the stimulus;determine at least one of, the stimulus or that the food product isspoiled, the food product is contaminated or a level of freshness of thefood product based on whether the level or quantity of the stimulusreaches or exceeds a profile; and send to the appliance a notice of thedetection of the stimulus or that the food product is spoiled, the foodproduct is contaminated, or a level of freshness of the food product. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the radio frequency tag comprises a radiofrequency identification tag, an NFC tag, or a radio frequency tagconfigured to use a Bluetooth protocol and the radio frequency readerand the computing device are configured to read and interpret the signalcontaining information about the stimulus measured by the sensor fromthe radio frequency identification tag, the NFC tag or the tag using aBluetooth protocol.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the stimuluscomprises one of an analyte, a mold, an ethylene, an alkene, an alkyne,an acid, a ketone, an ester, an aldehyde, an alcohol, an ether, a thiol,an ammonia, mono-nitrogen oxide or an amine.
 11. The system of claim 8,wherein the appliance comprises one of a smart speaker, a tablet, asmartphone, a beacon, a handheld device, a client device, a server, adisplay to display information, or a refrigerator.
 12. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the application further comprising transmitting anorder request or placing the food product on a digital list.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the order request or the digital listcomprises a purchase, an order, a replacement, or inventory managementfor the food product for a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, orderchain, or consumer.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the radiofrequency tag is attached to an exterior of the container.
 15. A methodfor identifying a food product in a container in a refrigerator anddetermining a stimulus or a level of freshness, spoilage orcontamination of the food product, comprising: providing a radiofrequency tag inside the container or connected to the container, acomputing device configured to communicate with a user interface device,the computing device comprising a processor and a non-volatile,non-transitory memory, a radio frequency reader in communication withthe computing device, the radio frequency reader configured to send aradio wave to the container and the radio frequency tag, and receive asignal from the radio frequency tag, the radio frequency tag isconfigured to send identity information about the food product or thecontainer to the computing device; the radio frequency tag is configuredto receive the radio wave from the radio frequency reader to power theradio frequency tag, the radio frequency tag comprising a sensor portionthat contacts or interacts with the stimulus when present in thecontainer, wherein the stimulus comprising a solid compound, a liquidcompound, or a gaseous compound from the food product or a contaminatein the container; the radio frequency tag sending a signal to the radiofrequency reader, the signal containing information about the stimulusmeasured by the sensor, and an application stored in the non-volatile,non-transitory memory and executable by the processor to: identifyingthe food product or container based on the identity information receivedfrom the radio frequency reader and sending the identity of the foodproduct or the container to the user interface device; interpreting thesignal to detect the stimulus or to determine a level or quantity of thestimulus; determining at least one of, the stimulus or that the foodproduct is spoiled, the food product is contaminated or a level offreshness of the food product based on whether the level or quantity ofthe stimulus reaches or exceeds a profile; and sending to the userinterface device a notice of the detection of the stimulus or that thefood product is spoiled, the food product is contaminated or a level offreshness of the food product.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein theradio frequency tag comprises a radio frequency identification tag, anNFC tag, or a radio frequency tag configured to use a Bluetooth protocoland the radio frequency reader and the computing device are configuredto read and interpret the signal containing information about thestimulus measured by the sensor from the radio frequency identificationtag, the NFC tag or the tag using a Bluetooth protocol.
 17. The systemof claim 15, wherein the stimulus comprises one of an analyte, a mold,an ethylene, an alkene, an alkyne, an acid, a ketone, an ester, analdehyde, an alcohol, an ether, a thiol, an ammonia, mono-nitrogen oxideor an amine.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the user interfacedevice comprises at least one of a smart speaker, a smartphone, ahandheld device, a client device, a tablet, a beacon or a display todisplay information.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the applicationfurther comprising transmitting the order request or placing the foodproduct on a digital list.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the orderrequest or the digital list comprises a purchase, an order, areplacement, or inventory management for the food product for amanufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, order chain, or consumer.